Ka'bah

For more information on Ka'bah, visit Britannica.com.

Literally the “cube,” it is located in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca and is called the “House of Allah.” As the primary Islamic (see Islam) shrine, it is faced by Islamic worshippers worldwide during the five daily ritual prayers and is the pilgrimage (Hajj) goal of all Muslims at least once during a given lifetime. The myths surrounding the Ka'bah suggest that its corner stone—the “Black Stone”—fell from Heaven or was brought to Mecca by angels. The stone is traditionally kissed by Muslims on their pilgrimage as it was said to have been kissed by the Prophet Muhammad.